Scientific Report 2003-2004 - Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research ...

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES UNITThe Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s Biological Resources Unit (BRU; formerly Animal CoreFacilities) is an integral unit of the Lerner Research Institute. The BRU’s function is to give support inmatters related to animal experimentation to all the scientists of the Foundation who use animals intheir research projects. This function is carried out with full consideration of the animals’ welfare. Thus,all efforts are made to minimize the number of animals used and any physical and psychological distressexperienced.The facilities are located in multiple areas of the CCF, but centrally managed. A variety of animalspecies, from rodents to ruminants, are housed in those areas. State-of-the-art surgical facilities andequipment are provided in each of the sites with cineangiography units (with digitizing and freeze-framecapabilities) and general instrumentation support. Approximately 30 animal technicians staff the BRU,many of them certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).The services provided by the BRU encompass all aspects related to animal husbandry andexperimental manipulation, ordering and procurement of animals, quarantine procedures, perioperativeanimal care, health surveillance and consultation on animals models. Implementation of, and compliancewith, the Animal Welfare Act and Public Health Services policies are conducted in conjunction with theInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). In 2001, the CCF animal care and use programwas evaluated by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care,International (AAALAC) and received full accreditation as part of an ongoing program. The BRU’sfacilities have been AAALAC accredited since 1976. During the past year, the BRU has implemented anew animal users’ training and occupational health program to meet NIH initiatives. Implementation ofincreased security measures is under way.The BRU will move into its new vivarium in the fall of 2003. This facility will supplementexisting animal housing and allow for expansion of both the animal census and for services provided bythe BRU for all CCG investigators. It will also consolidate satellite housing areas that have providedlimited temporary expansion space.Website: http://info.lerner.ccf.org/services/bru/BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES UNITDIRECTORStanley D. Dannemiller, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.L.A.M.ASSISTANT DIRECTORJori Leszczynski, D.V.M.182MANAGERSLinda McCort, A.S., L.A.T.G.Lonnie Thomas, B.A., L.A.T.G.RESEARCH COMPLIANCECOORDINATORNatalie L. Mays, B.A., L.A.T.G.CHIEF TECHNICIANHoward Roper, L.A.T., I.L.A.M.ANIMAL SURGERY SUPERVISORRobert LewisANIMAL SURGERY TECHNICIANSJames Howard, L.A.T.Terry Keller, L.A.T.Ronald Porter, L.A.T.MICHELLE WALSHCHRONIC CARE UNITTerry Fye (Research Monitor)VETERINARY TECHNICIANMelanie Hoffner, R.V.T.ANIMAL TECHNICIAN GROUP LEADERSJohn Bolden, A.L.A.T.China Morrison-KeetonScott Zeigler, L.A.T.ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTPeggy Buckner (Dept. Coordinator)Deborah Underwood (ClericalAsst.)ANIMAL TECHNICIANSPatrina BarlowDavid BredaDawn CadeJanie CallowayMary ColemanLaToya DavisPaul DevineStephanie EncarnacionDeborah FlorioJanice FranklinCharles FullerElizabeth HarmonDonnie HayesYvonne JamesYegeniy Kononov, L.A.T.Larry Kramer, Jr.Robert McCutcheonDrazen Mikulec, L.A.T.Mary MitchellRebecca ShrefflerJose SolanoDeAndre TerrellHenry Wyant